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February 28, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR BARB KONTOGIANNIS
IN CO
How to become a rocket scientist? There are many paths you
can take! I
like saying that I am a rocket scientist, as I work on the
Atlas launch
vehicle. The Atlas is an expendable rocket that launches satellites
for
many applications, including space exploration, telecommunications,
and
military uses. The path I took was this: I studied hard in
high school,
taking as much math, chemistry and physics as I could. I went
to college
and majored in mechanical engineering. I stayed an extra year
to get a
Master's degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics, which although
not a
necessity, was helpful focusing my interests. Before I graduated
from
college, I interviewed with various companies, including NASA,
for jobs all
related to space or fighter jets, and ultimately decided to
follow my dream
and work on space launch vehicles.
Among the people I work with, there is a huge variety of backgrounds
and
paths to becoming a rocket scientist. Here are the common
traits I see for
what it really takes: a strong background in math and science;
a degree in
engineering, physics, chemistry, astrophysics, astronomy,
or similar; and a
love for rockets and space.
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